Jurgen Melzer vs. Feliciano Lopez - Preview

First round of the ATP Masters Madrid and we have a lefty match-up with Melzer taking on F. Lopez from Spain. This will be their 7th official encounter, with the score 4-2 in favor of Melzer who has now won 2 of the last 3 against the spaniard, but never played him on clay. Melzer, 33rd in the world is going through a weeker period after in the start of the season he was beating strong players like, Petzschner, Seppi, Isner, Stepanek or Raonic to get a quarterfinal at Zagreb and of course the title at Memphis. He is coming from Monte Carlo where he lost against Benneteau for the 5th time in his career in the 2nd round. On the other side Lopez is now 16th in the world, 11-11 record this season with a round of 16 at Australian Open and two semifinals at Houston and Munchen, pretty modest for a player who is in his prime (career high 15th last year). It is true that he has developed his shots and he is not always leaning on that sliced backhand but still he is still dependend on that serve and that in my oppinion could be fatal against Melzer (even more on clay where there are more ralies then points won from serve) who is a better player from the back of the court and last but not last leads him by 4-2. Win Jurgen Melzer.